James R. Doty MD

So much more than the science focused autobiography I was expecting. This is also a guided meditative practice presented in terms that a beginner or an older child can understand. The story of author James Doty's introduction to the transformations meditation can bring seemed almost allegorical, but that may be because such a chance encounter at that place and time seemed unlikely to me. The very personal account of his up-to-the-present life journey is well written as well as extraordinary show more and inspirational. This book and The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford certainly fulfills the promise Dr. Doty's made to share the steps for training the mind through meditation with others.

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. show less

I'm not all that impressed with Into the Magic Shop. While I can appreciate the anecdotal nature of the first part of the book where an old woman teaches a young Doty mindfulness under the guise of "magic", but I don't necessarily believe it. I believe that mindfulness is a great way to dispel and manage stress, but the way Doty presents it, honestly... this whole book feels like a humble brag.

The entire second half of the book, after going through the steps of how suggests the reader show more practice mindfulness, follows with Doty discussion of how much money he is worth and how he just luckily stumbled into the position he is in by wishing for it. His narrative often made him sounds a little incompetent and impossibly lucky, and *that's* what I don't buy. Success takes some visualization, but it also takes a lot of hard work. Trust me, if you fail your classes and then visualize yourself getting into med school, you're not getting into med school, you know?

The underlying themes are good here, but the writing and presentation are so egotistical. This wasn't the book for me. show less

This was a remarkable book, but not at all what I expected. I had thought it would be a neurosurgeon's reminiscences of neurosurgery - his patients, remarkable cases, and what he learned about life as a result of pursuing such a calling. Instead, it was his troubled childhood and how he transformed his life and manifested his every desire via a practice of meditation and visualization shared with him by an unusual woman who took him under her wing for awhile.

I read another review here from show more someone who was disgruntled by Dr. Doty's arrogance and how he would flout rules to get his way, with "that's unacceptable". I think that reader missed the point, or more likely didn't finish the book. The whole point of the tale, which Dr. Doty himself drives home in the last few chapters, is that for far too long he had skipped over the most important step in his metaphysical practice, which was to open his heart, treat others with love and compassion, and be sure that the things he thought he wanted were the right things for everyone. He acknowledges his mistake, and notes that arrogance and isolation were the result. This realization, and the amazing developments which follow, are just one of the many fascinating left turns this memoir takes. I found myself excitedly reading parts aloud to my fiance, which is a sure sign of how captivated I was. show less

Date Completed: 12/11/2015

Rating: 9.5/10

This book drew me in from the very first sentence: “There’s a certain sound the scalp makes when it’s being ripped off of a skull – like a large piece of Velcro tearing away from its source” (subject to change before publication in February). I mean, don’t you want to hear more from this author? I’m simultaneously disgusted and intrigued, and I’m reading something I’ve never read before. The Introduction sent chills up and down my show more spine.

Memoirs are a wonderful way for common people to learn about extraordinary events when written well. Sometimes people don’t have the skills to both be a surgeon and write fluidly about their life, but this is certainly not the case for Doty. He is critical of himself, but not in a judgmental way, and his writing is clear and concise. Reading this book makes you feel good about life.

Not only does he make you feel good about life, but he gives you tips and tools to conquer your fears and anxieties. He talks about science while overlapping it with social science, love, and possibly even some talk about God. He writes about all of these things as if they exist in parallel dimensions and any one of them could be correct, which lends an unbiased view of these three things together in a way I have never heard before.

Besides this, his story is quirky and humorous, but not for the light-hearted; Doty has had struggles in his life that make his story feel real and relatable. He doesn’t judge, but he listens passionately. After reading this book I feel that I have the power to be a better person. In an era when most of what we read, watch, and talk about is how to dominate or how to be bigger or better, it’s refreshing to read a story that encourages each of us to take responsibility and be a better human.

So, I encourage you to grab a copy of this book as soon as it’s published in February 2016.

You can read my review at https://showthisbooksomelovewordpresscom.wordpress.com/2015/12/11/into-the-magic...

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author via LibraryThing.com for an honest reveiw. show less